Train and Tram Drivers Dispute

Mr WINGARD (Mitchell) (14:44): Supplementary: how much longer then is the minister going to wait until he gets this resolved? If he has waited a couple of months and stretched it out to 12 months, how much longer will he wait?

Mr Pisoni interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Unley is warned for the second and final time. The Minister for Transport.

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN (Lee—Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Minister Assisting the Minister for Planning, Minister Assisting the Minister for Housing and Urban Development) (14:44): We are working very hard with the union to resolve this dispute to make sure, primarily, that commuters aren't further inconvenienced. What we're not doing is we're not shopping a false story around to the media about the government being intent on outsourcing these services.

Mr GARDNER: Point of order, sir.

The SPEAKER: I would like to hear more than a sentence and a half before I decided whether it was out of order, if that's okay by the member for Morialta.

Mr GARDNER: I submit that he is imputing improper motive, so I invite you to reflect on that as he continues to do so.

Mr Marshall: 'False stories', 'shopping around'.

The SPEAKER: Shopping is not unlawful or to be condemned. Minister for Transport.

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: Thank you, Mr Speaker. As I said, what we're not doing is shopping around false stories to the media claiming that the government is looking to immediately privatise or outsource these services in an effort to press the bruise of all public transport groups, who are very sensitive about what was done nearly 20 years ago by the former Liberal government in privatising these services.

Mr GARDNER: Point of order. The minister now having identified the motive and made the accusation—

The SPEAKER: Yes, I uphold the point of order. Does the minister wish to add anything?

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: Yes, Mr Speaker. I find it interesting that the member for Morialta would jump up and take a point of order. I didn't say who was shopping it around, but if the level of guilt on that side is so high that they feel the need to defend themselves, Mr Speaker, then that's fine. I think we all know what's been going on.

Mr GARDNER: Point of order, sir. The standing orders define clearly the opportunities available to the Speaker when a minister defies his rulings.

The SPEAKER: I will listen carefully to what the minister has to say. I beseech him not to go down that line further.

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: Unlike those seeking to prolong the dispute and interrupt services to be provided to commuters, we're actively working towards getting it resolved. We've made it clear that the parameters within which the government will negotiate are that we will be removing the no forced redundancy clause. I should note that it was interesting today that, where previously there has been bipartisanship on this matter—

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: Sorry, I missed that from the leader.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: Oh, he was just embarrassed—okay. Where previously both parties had taken a particular policy to the last election to remove the no forced redundancy clause, the member for Mitchell this morning said he was happy to take his party's position to the next election. What news that is! Let's see how we go at the next election when asked to confirm whether that would be—

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: —the Liberal Party's position at the next state election.

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: I know it's very embarrassing for you both. I know it's very embarrassing.

The Hon. T.R. Kenyon interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Newland is warned for the first time, and the deputy leader is warned for the second and final time. The member for Mitchell.